The Primal Hunter

”Should we not be out attempting to sway the vote for World Leader?” Jacob was asked by the middle-aged trade manager he had brought along for the Congress. Maria and Bertram also looked at him questioningly.

They controlled several Pylons already, had many votes between them, and an Augur with frankly overpowered skills for convincing people. Yet Jacob did not look like he carried any intentions towards securing votes for World Leader.

“It’s too soon, and there are far too many unknowns. Becoming World Leader will undoubtedly come with a lot of power but also a lot of responsibility. In addition, fear that it may put a target on our back from those who disagree. Finally… I see no possibility of us securing 60% of the votes. At least not yet.”

“I am confused… I find it doubtful that any faction will dare move against us directly? We represent the Holy Church on this planet, and any powerful forces with divine connections will surely want to join hands with us or, at a minimum, not dare stand in opposition. While I understand that the Court of Shadows and the undead are not to be taken lightly, I do not see-“

“Exactly, you don’t see it. The problem is that I don’t either. This entire World Congress is an utter enigma to not just me but the gods too. Not just due to the inability of skills to predict the system itself, but also due to the leader of Haven and the Sword Saints’ presence here,” Jacob explained.

Jacob would have loved to be able to divine what the best choices for this World Congress would be - to see the fates that the voting would result in and in concert the future of their entire planet. Sadly, things didn’t work that way.

The individuals present formed a maelstrom of destiny that threw all predictions off. Jake was the primary issue due to whatever fate-bending skill he had been given. If Jacob was honest, he knew that just the mere fact that Jake was a Chosen was enough to toss off all predictions, even if he didn’t have a skill. A single sentence from the Malefic One would throw off all predictions.

Anyone being blessed made it harder to predict anything related to them, but not to the level of Jake. Not even close. He could at least get a general feel for things with most people, but with Jake and Haven, it was just a black hole.

Additionally… usually the Holy Pantheon or even the Grand Master who was in charge of their section of planets would throw in a tip here and there… but in regards to Jake, it had been radio silence except the warning of not interacting with the Malefic Viper’s Chosen at all, and if he had to for some reason, limit it as much as humanly possible.

A warning Jacob had no intentions of following.

Stronger than me.

That was the assessment Miyamoto had when he saw the masked man for the first time - the enigmatic Earl that had claimed the very first Pylon.

Miyamoto was prideful and, in the eyes of many, arrogant, but he understood when he locked eyes with the man. He wasn’t the only one. He saw the arrogance and inherent challenge in the eyes of the man. He was an old man, but at that moment, he could barely contain his childlike excitement as one of his biggest fears was alleviated.

A fear that he would have to wait for the multiverse to open up to meet peers with the same drive and desire as himself. A tiny part of him had feared that the first to claim a Pylon had done it simply as a fluke and not due to his own power… something that clearly wasn’t the case.

Their duel would come… but not today. Today was not a day of fighting but one of forming bonds.

The masked man clearly understood this, too, as his first choice was to greet his brother. Miyamoto smiled as this was the first action taken, and his respect for the hunter grew. That he also possessed such a profound movement skill only making it all the better.

“Grandfather, should we still move according to plan?” his grandson, a middle-aged man, asked him.

“Yes. Focus on getting a good feel for the state of things, and as for this whole World Leader business… we shall abstain as our default choice. To make such a choice this early would be an act of foolishness,” Miyamoto answered as he threw a glance towards the Augur.

an assistant to his grandson asked. The man didn’t even

system has brought us here as equals – as humans – so treat them as such. The world is changing, and the

said as he looked the assistant straight in the eye, making

it’s an honor to finally meet you in person,” the large burly man said as he smiled at the far smaller

ridiculous… and don’t call me mistress again. Ever.

no doubt coming in

a bear-head-cap on his head, with the three following him looking equally ridiculous. Of course, Carmen knew it was actually equipment that was likely as good as her own,

clothes ready to battle, that still meant most looked presentable. You could never go wrong in plate armor or the robes worn by nearly all casters and healers, with many of those present also just wearing large cloaks, making it entirely possible that they

trivial as that,” Sven dismissively said as he waved his hand.

you like to enter an

lord who was busy talking to their neighboring city.

that guy,” she said, pointing to the city

judging our ability to make our own decisions. We have backing of the highest level, so let’s use that and find likeminded

room a bit more. That ability to split your attention between different things in D-grade was awesome when it came to listening to a boring speech and doing something actually interesting without

named Valdemar. Unlike many others, it focused far more heavily on combat over everything else and didn’t

have a few tenets of sorts, mainly related to getting proper fights, and was, in Carmen’s view, more common sense than anything. It

likely also had something

actively as the Holy Church, yet it had a lot of faith. Many warlords or career

– it focused on people. That those people then made Valdemar and Valhal the figurehead of their entire faction was another thing entirely, that quite frankly, not a single god Carmen had met cared

multiverse in the truest sense… yet it was still one of the most feared – because even a faction as massive as the Holy Church didn’t dare fight the massive amount of

within other factions. Many members of the Holy Church or large empires were part of Valhal while also belonging to another faction. In the truest sense, Valhal was neutral and so far had only taken sides in conflicts a few times throughout the history of the multiverse. And those times were often

feel bored just looking at the people in the hall talking as she picked up something from Sven she

the planet, but if I had

compare me to them?” Carmen asked. Sven was many things, and a competent warrior and leader were undoubtedly one of them. With his axe in hand, he had

that the two of us wouldn’t win if we fought either of those two together. Of course, my senses may be off, but I am getting some serious vibes from both of them,” Sven explained as he

that shadow-assassin leader who was apparently his brother, before shifting it

key points of his own tutorial. He didn’t really bother to keep things a secret as he was pretty damn sure Umbra already knew, and if she hadn’t told anyone… well, a bit of bragging never

gods messing with shit to get their way. Well, it turned out pretty well in the end, if you ignore how

in this meeting. Jacob and Casper both part of two of the largest factions of the multiverse. Which left the

had already learned about some cool stuff. Like that virtual fighting arena they had where one could safely fight to the death without actually dying. He needed

much they bothered messing with your tutorial. At least Umbra and the Court of Shadows seems

comrades just stood silently behind him, not uttering a word but just observing Jake

also pretty chill, too, especially considering how stuck-up gods